Shop with the Chef
It’s May and the markets are back! As of May 1, the downtown Cesar Chavez farmer’s market opened again at 10th and J Streets. Conveniently located across the street from Grange restaurant, it’s a great lunch destination each Wednesday. That’s because of their Follow the Chef tour of the market. I got to join Chef [...]
Food from the Heart
(art + design by Hugh @ www.hughillustration.com) If you are looking for something food and wine related to do this Friday night or Saturday, and don’t want to hassle with driving, parking, etc., look no more! Itinerary: 1. Go to the Amtrak station from where ever you are. 2. Catch the train to the San [...]
Navagating to Nekeas in the Navarra
So just what is Nekeas anyway? A winery making excellent wines in the Navarra region of Spain. Although I’m home now, not continuing to share more of my amazing adventures would be withholding great information. Who knows when one may decide to venture off to Northwest Spain! To give a quick overview of the Navarra, [...]
Navarra Wine, Historic Town: Bodegas Irache and Estella
Bodegas Irache is located in Ayegui, two kilometres from Estella. It was established in 1891 however it’s vineyards go back to the 12th century. The Monestary de Irache, also 12th century, is literally right next to the winery. The monestary was the first hospital for pilgrims on the Way to Compostela. Irache built a new [...]
Wine, Almonds and Hiking in Spain
Hiking in Spain is absolutely beautiful. In addition to our food and wine adventures this trip, we’ve gone on several hikes. Starting in Barcelona, you’ve got Montserrat, a short train ride from the city. From this monastery dating back a few hundred years, (who’s counting centuries!) you have magnificent views of the surrounding area. Depending [...]
Scottish Woman Meets Cheese in Barcelona
Traveling Europe in search of the best cheese for her then job, Katherine McLaughlin particularly liked Spain and it’s cheese. About ten years ago, she decided to open her own shop devoted to Spanish-only farmhouse cheeses. She stocks a number of goat, sheep and cow milk varieties, as well as local artisan olive oils, and [...]
Seafood in the Basque
What did we do today? A great three hour hike to the Basque town of Getaria on the coast where seafood is aplenty. As you walk the streets of this small port town, you see restaurants cooking fish outside on grills. We found a place for our typically later Spanish lunch. While waiting for our [...]
Traditional Wine in La Rioja
Established in 1877 and located in the town of Haro, Bodegas Lopez de Heredia is the third oldest bodega (winery) in Rioja, run by the family’s fourth generation, and make wine in a ‘tradional’ method. The visit was fascinating and oh so different from the typical California winery tour (not that I don’t like California [...]
Piquillo Peppers in Action
Where was I today? Driving down the street in Haro (pronounced ah-row), a small hub town in the northern La Rioja wine region. It was about 4:00 p.m. I look to my left and say to my husband, “Stop! Pull over, quick!” I jump out and walk over to an open garage. In it are [...]
A Sweet Bodega in Navarra
We drove to the the southern end of the Navarra wine region to the town of Corella for our 11:30 a.m. tour of Bodegas Camilo Castilla, the oldest winery in this region. They specialize in sweet wine made from the “Muscat de petit grain” grape, a.k.a. small berry Muscat. The bodega makes four wines with [...]
